CRACK IN NAZI REGIME

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 139, 14 May 1941, Page 7

CRACK IN NAZI REGIME

WHAT FACTS INDICATE. (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Press Association Special Dispatch.) LONDON, May Id. There is every reason for concluding that the (light oi Herr Hess was deliberate. It is significant that Hess chose an aeroplane which had not enough petrol to take him back. It requires all one’s faculties to fiv a fast fighter, and hallucinations are not associated with piloting such a machine. The possession of photographs for identity purposes also indicates that Hess knew what he was doing and where he was going. It does not require much imagination to picture the tremendous problems and embarrassment that arc now besetting the Nazi heirarchy, with so close a confident of Hitler as Hess in Britain,

If the assumption that the flight was deliberate is correct —and it tits all the known facts —then it indicates a grave crack in the Nazi regime.

There is no reference * any where to Hess having had a companion. Also there is some mystery concerning his point of departure. If it was Augsburg the flight to Scotland of over 700 miles would be beyond the reported range of a Messerschmitt (10. GERMANS POOLED. The authorities anticipate that Hess will be disclosing lactsi about Germany under the Nazis which Hitler would ‘•give anything to conceal.” It is added that the escape indicates a serious split in the Nazi Party. The Germans were fooled when on Saturday and Sunday they did not receive a news spread of the. story ot an air crash, but branded* Hess as insane while still anticipating that a successful landing was possible. Hess is a skilful aviator and his medical examination has definitely belied the German version of his unbalanced mentality.

The news of Hess’s desertion was broadcast to Germany and Italy early this morning, and it will be repeated at frequent intervals throughout tlio day.

Air Ward Price, in the Daily Mail, says: “Nothing less than despair can prevail among Germany s military, naval and air chiefs when they think how much Hess knows and how much he may tell As for Hitler, this incredible abandonment ot his cause by the man whose fidelity to him was a national byword will convulse his hysterical nature. Whom can ho trust if Hess has proved untrue?” The Downing Street announcement is described in London ae “staggering the world.” All the circumstances indicate Hess is sane, which lias been further confirmed by conversations with responsible authorities in Glasgow. A medi-

cal examination has shown that Hess lias heart and other ailments for which he brought his our. medicine from Germany, indicating that his flight was earcftillv planned. ' PARTY CLEAVAGE INDICATED. Rumours are circulating in London that Hess has brought peace proposals. Dill not with Hitler’s backing. It i-> suggested that there is a cleavage in the German with Hess representing one faction. Hess’s flight must have tremendous repercussions in Germany, wnere he lias been not only powerful but also immensely popular. ... Berlin’s attempt to anticipate tne news by alleging a mental disorder does not hold water. The Daily telegraph savs that Hess was considered sufficiently sane to make one ot the principal speeches in Hitler s t>ir - rln v celebrations as recently as Apnl 2. ‘Hess’s Just public address was at

the Messerschmitt aeroplane factory at Augsburg on May 1. when he paid a tribute to the German industrial leaders and workers. He sat beside Hitler on May 4 in the session of the Reichb AMERICA ASTONISHED.

A New York message says Hess’s arrival in. Scotland has caused a sensation in America: The newspapers carry heavy two-inch headlines. The New York Times editorially declares: "‘This is the most fantastic story in all history. Hess was sane enough to pilot his plane. His escapade seems to be an escape from a purge or an attempt to represent a reactionary group within the Nazi Party. The escapade must have a terrific effect in Germany, particularly on Hitler.

The Herald-Tribune says: “The astonishing episode fits into the pattern of a nightmare fantasy and an unbelievable melodrama on the stage of horrors with which Hitler has engulfed the world. We assume that Hess must be mad.”

The New York Times' Washington correspondent describes the news as a bombshell to the capital anti it is believed to be a heavy blow to Nazi prestige sufficient to offset- the results of tlie invasion in the Balkans and cause small nations to draw back from Germany. The news Plight indicate that Hess no longer believes Germany can win.

Speaking at Kansas. Lord Halifax British Ambassador to the United States, said: “Perhaps Hess has seen the writing on the wall.” HITLER MAKES CHANGE. A Berlin message says Hitler has abolished the post of Fuehrer’s deputy and created a new office for Hess’s chief of staff, Martin Bormann. Hitler's decree states: “The for.mer office of the Fuehrer’s deputy will henceforth be known as the Party Chancellery. It will be personally responsible to me and the leader will be .Martin Bormann.” Bormann has been Hess's chief of staff since 1933. He is 41 and was sentenced in March,' 1924, to a year’s imprisonment lor Iris share in the Beer Cellar putsch. NAZI PRESTIGE SUFFERS. Most German broadcasting stations arc discreetly silent, to-day on the Hess affair. There is not even mention of the tact that ho arrived in Scotland. It is announced in London that Hess is to be treated as a prisoner of war and that no one will Iks allowed to see him. FOUND BY PLOUGHMAN. Hess landed on the Duke of Hamilton’s estate in Slrathaven, Lanarkshire. A ploughman. Air David AleLean, found Hess lying injured in a field and assisted him to his house, where Hess talked with Air MeLeau’s mother and sister for nearly ail hour till ho was taken away by officials. “1 was in tlie house,” said Air McLean, “when I heard a plane roaring overhead. Then 1 heard a crash and j saw a plane allame in a field -001 yards away. | “l grabbed my hayfork and hurried [ to the scene, and 1 saw a man lying on ! the field with his parachute nearby.] He smiled as I assisted him to his feet j and thanked me.

“I could see lie was injured in the foot, so I helped him to the house. Word was immediately sent to the authorities.

“The airman told ns that he had left Germany lour hours previously anti ho landed because nightlall was reproaching. He said lie was unable to find a. suitable landing ground, so he stalled the machine over open country and jumped out. “1 could see from the way he spoke that lie was a man of culture. His English was very clear, and lie understood all we said to him. He wore a magnificent flying suit and also had a gold watch and a gold identity bracelet

‘•Ho did not discuss his journey. He seemed most confident that he would ho well treated, and his only anxiety was ior the parachute, saying, ‘I should like to keep it, for 1 think I owe my life to it.’ He would not tell us who he was. and we assumed that he was just another German airman. “When the oliicials arrived lie smiled and held out his arms, at the same time assuring them that he was unarmed.”

“HERO OF THE WAR.” (Roe. 11 n.m.) LONDON,. May 13. It is reported front Glasgow tlint David AfeLenn. the Scottish ploughman who captured Hess, using a hay fork its a weapon, was the hero of the war. To-day Air Ale Lean related: 'T was amazed and a hit. I Tightened when 1 saw a parachute di opping with a man hanging from the straps, and concluded it was a German airman. 1 raced to the house to get help, hut everyone was asleep. Fearing I might lose '.him, I returned alone.” Air Ale Lean added: “ATy mother and sister prepared tea which Hess refused, but he drank a glass of water. The visitor, while awaiting the military authorities, chatted freely.”